CALL FOR ROUNDABOUT LAYOUT CHANGE TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS

 

Willaston and Rope Ward Councillor Brian Silvester is calling for a change in the layout of the Willaston Cheerbrook Roundabout on the A500 to prevent the regular accidents that happen.

He said," The metal railings around the roundabout are regularly disfigured and bent when they are  hit by heavy lorries attempting to turn too tightly. Sadly the surrounds to the roundabout looks more like the perimeter of a speedway track rather than what it is, a major access route to the village and Nantwich. I am calling for the new railings, when they are installed,to be set further back to prevent further accidents in the future. It is obvious that whoever designed this roundabout has got it badly wrong."

See correspondence below. The first e-mail is from a local resident who is an experienced HGV driver. Photo attached below.

Cllr Brian Silvester
Willaston and Rope Ward Councillor

Cheshire East Council

Tel/fax 01270 567757

 

Hi Brian,

          I've read the response from John Dodd and cannot agree with him. In this situation speed is unlikely to be an issue, and I do not believe poor design should be used to blame the HGV driver.

For instance . . . . .  imagine traffic coming from the M6, heading for Chester. Cheerbrook Roundabout is in effect a straight-ahead manoevre, and there is no signage to indicate which, if either lane, is appropriate for the approach along the dual carriageway. At the roundabout, two options:

1. Approach in right lane (often not the best choice for heavies), keep in right lane on rbt, exit into single lane, no collision with barrier.

2. Approach in left lane (often the safer choice) , follow left lane round rbt, exit L  which REQUIRES cab to move well over to the R side of the exit lane or trailer will hit the barrier. But what if a faster vehicle has chosen the right lane? Even if it gives way at the exit, its positioning may prevent the HGV from swinging out, as it may hit the other vehicle. But . . . if the HGV stays in lane, the barrier is gone.

Again.

Likewise, heavies coming the other way will certainly be in the L lane if heading for the M6 and if traffic is either approaching alongside or is already on the rbt using the Rlane, the truck has to stay well to the

left: again,bingo!